Manhattanhenge is always pretty awe-inspiring event that happens twice a year in New York City. It involves the alignment of the setting sun with the east-west streets of Manhattan’s main grid. Twice a year crowds fill the East-West to see the fiery orb of the setting sun hovering between the skyscrapers, sunlight casting long shadows across the streets, and bathing the city in a golden glow.
It was the Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson who coined the name “Manhattanhenge” in reference to Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument in England known for its solar alignments.
The sunsets typically occur around Late May/Early June, then again in Mid-July.
While less common, there are also Manhattanhenge events for sunrises, occurring around December 5th and January 8th.
Viewing: The best places to observe Manhattanhenge are along the east-west streets that have a clear view of the sunset. Popular spots include avenues like Seventh Avenue and Fifth Avenue.
Naturally, Manhattanhenge is a photographer’s dream, a unique opportunity to capture a moment when Cosmic forces interact with the urban landscape to produce a phenomenal experience.